The Blade in the Stars (Swiss x Female OC)

14: Dinner

Fenris' POV:

     "It'll be fine, I promise," he encouraged. I looked up at the ghoul, whose eyes somewhat glistened with amusement. Swiss and I had been walking the halls for maybe an hour, during which we talked about nothing in particular. Three quarters of our conversation had been filled with silence, only accompanied by our footsteps or the occasional group of Siblings. I wasn't sure why that pattern seemed to ensue so often, but I didn't mind it. It was easier than keeping up a conversation, though I had to fight sometimes to bite my tongue. I still had questions that were begging to be asked.

    Now, we were talking about dinner. It wasn't so out of the ordinary, seeing as the sun was setting lower and lower by the minute. The thing that bothered me, and the thing the Swiss was trying to get me to do, was going to dinner with the others. "I'll just mess up the order of things," I insisted, "Sodo won't be drunk this time around, either."

    This earned a slight chuckle from Swiss, a smirk coming across his lips. I'm sure it was easy enough to guess who else was occupying my mind, for he then said, "I doubt Sodo or Aether would try anything in front of Copia." I shrugged, my gaze traveling back to the area in front of me. He probably spoke at least some truth, but I was still doubtful. I knew I wouldn't be welcomed with open arms, that was impossible. I definitely wouldn't put it past anyone to say or do something, whether it be under Copia's knowledge or not.

    I figured that the game night had gone so well purely because of the drinks and the overall joyful mood that nobody had seemed to want to break. It would be an entirely different story if I were sitting at a table and eating with them. I had quieted again, stuck in my mind as I predicted the possible outcomes. Usually, my thoughts would be set upon much more important things. However, in that moment, something as silly as what other ghouls thought were making me nervous.

    "Your seat—which is right next to Copia, mind you—has been empty since I was summoned," Swiss stated in the most matter-of-fact manner I'd ever heard. I furrowed my brows, nodding my head as I looked towards him. He then added, "I believe it's time for that seat to be filled."

    I blinked.

    His smile grew into something more mischievous. "You'll also be right next to me, which I know was your biggest concern." His tone was nothing short of playful, which had seemed to come out of nowhere. I returned Swiss's gesture with a loud scoff, elbowing his side gently.

I was caught off guard by him groaning dramatically and staggering to the side, falling against the wall as he declared, "OH, I've been injured!"

    I exhaled sharply as I turned to stare at him in disbelief. Swiss met my gaze for a moment before he erupted into a fit of contagious laughter. Apparently, he really cracked himself up. I joined him in the laughing, though I worked much more than he did to keep it suppressed. I walked towards Swiss, standing before him and taking hold of his shaking shoulders. He looked towards me, though still struggling through tear-filled laughs.

    I shook my head with a wide smile, saying between giggles, "If you laugh, I laugh. So- stop." He surprised me by actually trying to calm down, but I took those few moments to make my observations.

    So, that fake smile thing I found out Swiss had been doing? There was close to no sign of it then. Actually, he was doing quite the opposite. The only time I had heard him laugh like he was right then was during our very childish pillow fight. Knowing what I knew now, I especially adored the way his face would scrunch up and the darkness in his eyes would swirl about in those special moments. Luckily, he had left his mask in his room, so I could see it then too.

     I had to confess that I had spent the past hour trying to count the times that Swiss really smiled. I had counted no more than ten. Of course, there were probably some that I hadn't been there for during his time in the Over world.